FEMALE BEAUTY – AUCKLAND V. TAHANAKI.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 236, 21 March 1885, Page 8

FEMALE BEAUTY - AUCKLAND V. TAHANAKI.

THE TARANAKMTE IjST FEPLY. To the Editor of the Observer : Sir, in last week's issue of your interesting paper I observed a reply from an Auckland girl (?) to my letter in the previous week's issue, setting forth the claims of the New Plymouth maidens to- the proud position of the most beautiful girls in New Zealand. In the first place, then, this fair Auckland champion said she "read the crow by a Taranaki lady in your last week's number," and winds up her futile attempt to prove the Auckland girls to be par excellence by saying that " they neither neglect the mental nor physical in their education." Now, while readily conceding the latter accomplishment claimed by this would -be - considered beautiful Auckland wiseacre (the Auckland damsels, as a rule, being an angular, muscular, well-developed, masculine-looking lot of girls), it is very evident that the fai:- tc.-Vzc in rvrcsiion, v.'io says that she stands forth as a" 1 kind of recognised champion by her Auckland sisters, if she does represent the brain power of an average Auckland girl, has by her own evident lack of comprehension reflected very unfavorably on the mental education of those whom she champions. She has not sufficient mental acumen to perceive the glaringly evident fact that the letter she objects to was written by one of the eterner sex, and not by a lady ; and her stark, staring imbecility in this respect leads one to suppose that if those whom she champions are as dull as she is, they must be a very intelligent crowd indeed. Reading between the lines, I should say that the writer was some incorrigible, hen-pecked, much-married man. Just fancy any younglady with the least pretensions to culture and refinement comparing the respective beauties of New Plymouth and Auckland to the competitors at a poultry show, and comparing those of her sex at New Plymouth to old hens and pullets strutting about ! It has been said time and time again that comparisons are odious, and these two ventured at by this Auckland girl's champion almost makes one say that she can't be in til* least bit refined, as no lad}' with any pretensions to culture would lower herself" from the present high standard of noble womanhood to descend to such vulgar and altogether uncalled-for comparisons. " Mine Honour is my life " is informed that several years ago Sir George Bowen paid a tribute to the beauty of the Auckland girls ; and, while I would not for one moment deny our Auckland maidens a fair share of good looks, still I must accord " honour where honour is due," and state for the special edification of this Auckland champion that at the time when Sir George Bowen paid them that tribute Taranaki was altogether too unpretentious a place to receive a visit from a real live Governor, and it is owing to this simple fact that the Auckland girls have for so long remained so lamentably conceited as to fancy that their city was really worthy to be called " The Corinth of the South." Perhaps the Auckland maidens, on reading this, will be inclined to think that " where ignorance is bliss 'twere folly to be wise " ; but that is altogether a matter of indifference to me, as in writing these few lines my sole wish is to accord " honour where honour is due." In conclusion, looking down from sex's pedestal of noble manhood, I would like to give my fair Auckland friends a few words of advice ; I would say to them : Endeavour to live better lives, and thus do good by your example ; beauty is only skin deep, and not the only thing to be desired in a wife ; don't be too fond of gadding about Queen-street and going to balls and parties, but stay at home and help your mother to look after the little ones and bear the household duties (she took the greatest care of you when you needed it); always tell the truth ; and, above all, be natural! -lam, &c, Honour Where Honour is Due.